Owls boss Gray blames pitch for injuries

Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray blamed the state of the Hillsborough pitch after two of his players were forced off injured in the 1-1 draw with Fulham.

The sandy, worn-out turf gave the teams problems throughout the scrappy game and Owls pair Liam Palmer and Will Keane were substituted in the first half.

“We looked like we had a healthy squad before today and I think we have about three or four injuries in the treatment room after the game, one or two with tight hamstrings,” Gray said.

“I can only blame the pitch for that. The surface isn’t the best for us.”

Although he disputed Fulham’s controversial equaliser before which Ryan Tunnicliffe appeared to go down easily, Gray admitted that both teams deserved a point.

“A draw is probably a fair result. We’re disappointed that the ref didn’t give a free-kick for simulation for us but you’ve got to keep playing to the whistle,” he added.

“It was an open game, but it was just that final ball [that was lacking].”

Asked if he will look to strengthen the squad to replace Palmer and Keane, Gray replied: “The window shuts on the 27th of this month, so we’ll keep trying.

“But the positive thing is that we’ve got to that 50-point mark.”

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